Monday, August 4, 2014

Monday Made It ~ Aug. 4th

I have actually been working on this for more than a week and I still do not feel completely done, but here it goes ...

My Writing Station - Updated:

After printing, laminating, and cutting out all of my parts, I was ready to get busy!

The first basket is a writing prompt basket and it will be full of those cute, already painted, wooden cutouts. The kids who have not decided what to write can go and choose one or more. They can write a story about the animals or some facts about them.

The second container are my "Writing ROCKS" that the kids can also choose and write about. I have a set of tiles just like the rocks for years and the kids love them. My tiles have words, letters, and pictures on them. For the tiles, I used clear Avery labels printed with just what I needed printed on them. These just have stickers that I have used decoupage on. I also sprayed them to help seal them. The tiles were the easiest but these are fun, too! They are like the "Writing Stones" I have seen on different blogs.

Here are the stickers I used and the rocks almost done!

Here they are ready to go to school!

The third container holds my writing prompt sticks. I LOVE the way these came out.

First, I glued around the sides and top edge to make a pocket for my sticks. Then, I laminated them. After that, I cut right on the edge to open the pockets. Finally, I hot glued in the sticks.

Here are all of the parts put together!

I added glass blobs to the bottom to help hold up the sticks and weigh down the can.

The fourth container is filled with plastic animals. The children can use these during our non-fiction unit with ease!

The fifth one is full on beanie babies.

Again same idea of choosing one and writing about it.

If the large beanie babies are too BIG, they make the tiny ones. The tiny ones are about half the size and you can have a much smaller container.

The nice thing about all of these options is the way I can switch them out because the next set it ready to go.

This box will house our portfolios and our file folder

"Write About It!" station.

These are our pens for writing time. I can't wait to use them.

I made more labels for other parts of the station, but I can't get them ready at home.

I can't wait to get in the room and set it all up. I will take more pictures and post them on my blog when it is finished!

I hope you love my station organization!

You can view it on TPT by clicking the picture below.

I know I will be adding to these sets! Get yours now while they are at their lowest price!

HiI love your zebra print signs! So cute! Also, what a GREAT idea about the writing rocks! I have all these extra paint sticks that I was thinking of turning into writing sticks with sentence starters. I just love the your idea too! thanks for sharing!!Laura ~ First Grade Spies

Crystal,Thanks so much for your kind words! I can't wait to update the post when I can really show it all together. I already made a new addition to my station that I am going to add to the pack! The rocks were pretty easy because I used stickers. I love the way they turned out. I would love to see your pictures if you make some. Happy Teaching! Karen

Erin,You are too kind! It is so much fun to see everyone's pictures of their ideas. We can really inspire each other. In the pack their are two other labels for different pens, but I had not made them yet. When I get everything put together I will post those pics. You need to send me your pictures of your writing station so I can get some more ideas. I love sharing. Have a great beginning to your school year! Happy Teaching, Karen

That is so sweet! I hope the kids feel the same way. I can't wait to put together the rest of the materials from the pack. There is so much variety ... maybe it will last a long while. Fingers crossed! Thank you so much for stopping by! Happy Teaching & Have a GREAT start! Karen